Annise Parker on Environment

Retrofit all 262 city buildings; reduce energy use by 30%

Houston, the nation's fourth largest city, is no slouch when it comes to green initiatives, even if it's an oil town with a well-earned reputation for sprawl and lax zoning regulations. The city's new green credibility starts with its ranking as the
largest municipal purchaser of wind energy in the country. Houston also is on course to retrofit all 262 city-owned buildings to reduce energy use by 30 percent. It already ranks eighth in the nation in the number of LEED-certified buildings--it has 97.

While automobiles dominate the city's transportation system, and will for the foreseeable future, Houston still plans to add three new light rail lines to its current one, build a bus rapid transit system and construct a network of bike trails.
The city government further plans to purchase up to 30 electric vehicles to add to its fleet of hybrids, increase local food production and develop a single stream recycling program. Behind this growing list of sustainable projects is Mayor Annise Parker

Inner city should have necklace of parks and greenbelts

We see an inner city with a necklace of parks and greenbelts and hike and bike trails along our bayous, most of it privately funded, including a stunning rebirth of Buffalo Bayou. Our historic neighborhoods are stabilized and experiencing enhanced value.
A new cultural tourism center dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of our history stands in our sports district, near the familiar Dynamo Stadium.

Source: 2011 State of the City Speech
, Apr 15, 2011

Rebuild Houston: tackle crumbling streets and drainage

Rebuild Houston is the voter-approved Prop. 1 ballot initiative aimed at tackling our crumbling streets and drainage problems. This is about saving lives and neighborhoods. No one should have to worry about being able to get home to loved ones
or about water in their home just because it rains. When our work is done the risk of flooding will have been reduced and our streets will be safer for the driving public. Thanks to Rebuild Houston's mandatory pay-as-you-go funding requirement,
these accomplishments will be based on fiscal best practices.

We will have completed and see the fruits of the upgrades in the water and sewer system and will be able to measure it in gallons of water saved and improvements in distribution.
We will have implemented Rebuild Houston and see the first new drainage and street improvement projects under construction.